Mechanical biomarkers for oocyte and embryo viability

US9179935B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · US

Inventors

• Livia Zarnescu · Palo Alto, US
• David B. Camarillo · Capitola, US
• Jinnuo Han · Mountain View, US
• Renee A. Reijo Pera · Palo Alto, US
• Shawn L. Chavez · Fremont, US
• Barry Behr · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 11, 2013
• Grant date: Nov 10, 2015
• Expiry date: Aug 18, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/483
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Provided are methods for the determination of the viability of a mammalian embryo or a potential embryo generated from a mammalian oocyte, comprising applying a mechanical stimulus to the embryo or oocyte, detecting a temporal response of the embryo or oocyte to the mechanical stimulus, and deriving measurements for one or more parameters from the temporal response, the measurements being indicative of viability. Also provided are methods for selecting an embryo for transfer and methods for enhancing the viability of an embryo or oocyte.